Body lift surgery is an extremely
effective procedure for patients with excess skin resulting
from weight loss. Depending on the location of the excess
skin, patients may choose to undergo either an upper, mid,
or lower body lift. For patients with significant amounts
of excess skin through out the midsection, lower body, and
extremities, a combination of these techniques called Full
Or Total Body Lift Surgery may be the best option.

Types of Body LiftsThe type of body lift surgery you choose will greatly
depend upon the location of the excess skin on your body,
as well as your overall aesthetic goals. Your cosmetic surgeon
can focus on a specific part of your body, as is done in an
Arm lift or a thigh lift, or take a more inclusive
approach and treat a larger area all at once.

These "full-scale" kinds of body lift surgery include
the upper, mid, and lower body lift and serve to eliminate
excess skin over large areas of the body. Even more complete
are the body lifts that create an entirely new figure. These
procedures are commonly referred to as Total Body Lift
Surgery. Although recovery from total body lift surgery is
more involved than that of smaller-scale body lift techniques,
experienced cosmetic surgeons are often able to achieve the
best results with this kind of treatment.

Lower Body Lift
Many patients find that the majority of weight lost occurs
in areas such as the buttocks, hips, and thighs. Extreme weight
loss can leave large folds of skin that cause chafing and
discomfort. A lower body lift can not only remove this excess
skin, but also lift the buttocks and add flattering contours
to the patient's body.

The lower body lift procedure begins with the surgeon making
an incision around the belt-line of the waist, across the
lower abdomen, and down the inner thighs. Excess fat and skin
are then removed before the incisions are closed and covered
with bandages and a compressing garment. Because it is difficult
to effectively tighten the lower body and not the abdomen,
many patients choose to combine lower body lift surgery with
an Abdominoplasty [ Tummy Tuck] or a mid body lift.

Mid Body LiftMid body lift, also called torsoplasty, treats
the abdominal region in addition to the body parts addressed
by a lower body lift (thighs, hips, buttocks). Many patients
prefer this method of body lift surgery to a lower body lift
alone because the surgeon is able to create a smooth, continuous
contours from the abdomen all the way down to the thighs.

To complete the torsoplasty, excess skin is removed
via incisions similar to those used in lower body lift. The
cosmetic surgeon uses the incision around the waist to access
the abdominal muscles. The muscles are then pulled together
and stitched into place to create a trimmer waistline and
a flatter stomach. The incision is then closed and bandaged.